Page 47 - Graveyard

G r av e y ar d H u m o r | 45

of the evening the conversation had turned upon epitaphs, and Knight,
half in jest, half in earnest, had asked the great wit to write his epitaph for
him. The incident had escaped Knight’s recollection, but on arriving at the
point where they were to part each for his own house, it was recalled to his
memory by Jerrold himself. “I’ve got the epitaph for you,” said he. “Well,
what is it?”

“Good Knight!”

And with that they parted.

87. From St. John’s Churchyard, Devizes:—

Life’s uncertain—Death is sure,
Sin is the wound—Christ’s the cure.

Likewise in Llandovery and other churchyards.

88. From St. Mary’s Churchyard, York.

On a young woman who was accidentally drowned, December 24 , 1696.
th
The inscription is said to have been penned by her lover:—

Nigh to the River Ouse, in York’s fair city,
Unto this pretty maid Death shewed no pity;
As soon as she’d her pail of water fill’d,
Came sudden Death, and Life, like water, spill’d.

89. On a Yorkshire Cook:—

Underneath this crust
Lies the mouldering dust
Of Eleanor Batchelor Shoven,
Well versed in the Arts
Of pies, custards, and tarts,
And the lucrative trade of the oven.
When she lived long enough